In today’s video, we will be talking about Lucifer. Where does the name Lucifer occur in the Bible, and is it a formal name for a supernatural satanic being?
Where “Lucifer” comes from
The word Lucifer first appeared in the 4th Century A.D. in the Latin Vulgate, a translation by Jerome (347–420). The Hebrew word is helel, which means “morning star.” The King James Version uses this translation. Most modern translations of the Bible do not use “Lucifer,” but instead Day Star, Morning Star, or Shining One. “Lucifer” is only found once in the Bible, in Isaiah 14:12–15 (KJV).
How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
So, who is Isaiah writing about?
This is a great example of where understanding the context of a Bible passage can clarify what may otherwise be misread. Isaiah 13 begins a series of prophecies against real nations that were enemies of Israel. It includes such countries as Babylon, Moab, Syria, Ethiopia, Egypt, and ancient Tyre. In each case, these countries were being held accountable by God for their cruelty against His people Israel. So, when we read Isaiah 14, we need to keep this context in mind.
The chapter begins by clarifying who this taunt is written to.
Take up this proverb against the king of Babylon, and say, How hath the oppressor ceased! The golden city ceased! (verse 4)
Clearly, Isaiah 14 is about the King of Babylon. He would be an oppressor to Israel. In 586 BC, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, would complete his invasion of Israel, sacking Jerusalem and burning the Temple. There had been no power quite like Nebuchadnezzar and his Kingdom. He would rule from the Fertile Crescent area all the way to Egypt. The power and riches of his kingdom would be unlike any other that the world had seen to that point. It wasn’t until about 130 years ago that archeologists began to unearth ancient Babylon. It revealed a massive city with fabled hanging gardens and opulent palaces.
But as strong as Babylon was, its kingdom lasted a very short time. It would rise quickly, but fall to the Persian Empire and vanish almost in a moment.
The fall of the king of Babylon
This is what Isaiah was prophesying about. Let’s look at some of the language used to describe the power and subsequent fall of the King of Babylon.
The Lord has broken the staff of the wicked, the scepter of rulers, that struck the peoples in wrath with unceasing blows, that ruled the nations in anger with unrelenting persecution. The whole earth is at rest and quiet; they break forth into singing. The cypresses rejoice at you, the cedars of Lebanon, saying, Since you were laid low, no woodcutter comes up against us.’ Sheol beneath is stirred up to meet you when you come; it rouses the shades to greet you, all who were leaders of the earth; it raises from their thrones all who were kings of the nations. All of them will answer and say to you: ‘You too have become as weak as we! You have become like us!’ Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, the sound of your harps; maggots are laid as a bed beneath you, and worms are your covers. (verses 5–12, ESV)
These are the voices of the nations who would be oppressed by Babylon. They rejoiced because Babylon, once their captor, was now humbled and brought low. The power of Babylon had ceased.
Isaiah continues to identify this man, a ruler, who is now defeated and brought low.
Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?’ (verses 16–17)
Why people confuse “Lucifer” with a supernatural being
So why is it that so many have confused Lucifer with a supernatural being? This is an example of reading into a passage, rather than reading it in context.
It is helpful to see how more modern translations have interpreted this word.
- The ESV interprets this as “O Day Star, son of Dawn!”
- The New American Standard Bible interprets it as “You star of the morning, son of the dawn!”
So why did the King James Version use the word “Lucifer?” This is due to the influence of the Latin Vulgate on the translation of the King James Version. Lucifer comes from Latin meaning “light bringer” or “morning star.” This is consistent with the modern translations.
It is believed that the reference to the morning star, the “Day Star” is to the planet Venus. Venus rises late in the sky, and is the brightest of the heavenly lights. But it is at its brightest just as the sun rises. As the sun fills the sky, Venus disappears rapidly.
We can see that it was a very appropriate way for Isaiah to describe the pomp and glory of Babylon. It would rise like the morning star, dominating the sky. But it would disappear and be thrown down from its glory in a moment.
It was the King of Babylon, filled with pride that we read about in Daniel 4. He boasted about his kingdom that he had built. He was called “king of kings.” But God would humble Nebuchadnezzar and eventually the entire kingdom.
The chapter continues with references to the destruction of Babylon.
Conclusion
Lucifer is not a supernatural power who falls from the literal heavens, as some might suppose. Rather it is a parable about a real man, a real kingdom, that was to rapidly be brought down to the ground by God.
This is a great example of why reading the context of the passage helps us to understand what the prophet intended readers to understand. It allows us to be freed from the false narratives about a supernatural being, named Lucifer, that is tormenting men and women on the earth.